"Congratulations, Shinji!"
Orochimaru tilted his head and smiled at Shinji.
"Now I need to prepare another machine to test your physical energy..."
Shinji shook his head, lowered his gaze to his clenched fist, and took a moment to feel the power within him.
The corners of his mouth lifted.
"No—there's no need."
"Hmm?"
Shinji looked up at him with a smile Orochimaru could not understand. "Now... there's only one thing I'm missing."
"?"
Orochimaru felt the confidence radiating from Shinji Uchiha...
No.
It was more than mere confidence.
He could not quite explain it, but looking at Shinji now, he felt that if Shinji said he could accomplish anything,
it would not sound strange at all.
"Is that so? That's wonderful... But Shinji, what about the eternal life you promised to show me?"
Shinji grinned. "Soon. Very soon."
Orochimaru smiled and nodded. "All right. I'll wait patiently. But... Uchiha Itachi and Kakashi are still at the base."
"Their surgeries are complete."
"Oh?"
Shinji raised an eyebrow. "Why are they here?"
"I don't know..." Orochimaru explained how Shisui had brought the two of them over, then added, "I took the liberty of transplanting a Sharingan into Kakashi. I hope you don't mind?"
"Ah."
Shinji rolled his neck with a series of cracks and smiled. "It doesn't matter. But I don't have time for them right now. I have something more important to do!"
Orochimaru smiled. "Of course!"
Reed Hideout.
Shisui stared at Shinji, who had appeared before him without warning.
He froze. "Shinji?"
Uchiha Nobihi was just as startled. Delight flashed across his face, then quickly faded. "Nii-san, there's so much I want to ask you..."
"No time. And no chatter."
Shinji waved him off and turned to Shisui. "Where's the Seven-Tails?"
Yehuo froze. Shisui wanted to ask questions too,